Germany protests: tens of thousands of young people rally

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations across Germany, demanding better education and a lower cost of living, Reuters reports. Similar protests took place in France, where authorities estimate more than 300,000 people took to the streets.

The rallies in Germany were organized by the “Gen Z regelt” initiative (“Generation Z will sort it out”). They are planned in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and Munich. Participants oppose compulsory military service and call for more investment in education amid rising prices.

Fewer people showed up than expected

According to official figures on Saturday evening, turnout was lower than the organizers had hoped for. They had expected 182,000 participants. Police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin counted up to 18,000 demonstrators — half of the roughly 36,000 claimed by the organizers themselves.

German authorities noted that the protests, which coincide with Halloween celebrations, have so far been mostly peaceful, but warned of attempts by extremists to exploit them. In Hamburg, someone set fire to several barricades. Some shops in German cities boarded up their windows in advance and planned to close earlier than usual.

“We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, not for war and coercion,” said initiative representative Lina Friedrich in Berlin. According to her, the main priority for participants is better support for healthcare and schools, and they are against compulsory military service.

According to Germany’s Interior Ministry, some parts of a far-left extremist group, as well as groups linked to foreign extremist movements, have also backed the protests.

The wave of protests began in France

The protests in Germany continue a wave of demonstrations in France, where about 320,000 people, mostly young, took to the streets on Saturday seeking better conditions in education and a solution to the high cost of living. Around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across the country to keep order. Earlier protests there were accompanied by riots, looting and clashes with police.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz